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The Department of Transportation is acquiring 40 35-meter fast patrol crafts for the Philippine Coast Guard for P25.751 billion
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On April 15, DOTr said it is inviting pre-selected bidders to join the bidding for the project, which will be funded through a loan from the agreement of financial and development cooperation with the French government
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The acquisition of the 40 fast patrol crafts is so far the largest single-purchase in the modernization of the PCG
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is acquiring 40 35-meter fast patrol crafts for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for P25.751 billion.
On April 15, DOTr said it is inviting pre-selected bidders to join the bidding for the project, which will be funded through a loan from the agreement of financial and development cooperation (AFDC) with the French government.
PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan earlier said the acquisition of the 40 fast patrol crafts is so far the largest single-purchase in the modernization of PCG, calling it a game-changer. Gavan said it will enable PCG to have at least two patrol boats in every district that are “fast enough to reach edges of our socio-economic zone forms to enforce the laws.”
The vessels are expected to enhance PCG’s drive against smuggling, drug trafficking, piracy, illegal fishing, and other forms of maritime crime. Some of the vessels will also be deployed in the West Philippine Sea to address security threats in Philippine waters.
The fast patrol crafts should be designed and manufactured in accordance with International Association of Classification Societies standards and in accordance with the International Maritime Organization’s International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (1973 MARPOL Convention) and further resolutions. It should be able to handle a 21-crew and a top speed of at least 30 knots.
Earlier, Gavan said half of the 40 fast patrol crafts will be assembled in the Philippines.
The fast patrol crafts should be delivered within 2,555 days from the issuance of the notice to proceed to the winning supplier/contractor.
The pre-selected bidders should have completed, within six years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the project.
The bidding will be conducted through an open competitive bidding procedure under Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Reform Procurement Act.
A pre-bid conference will be conducted on April 23, while the deadline of submission of bids and opening of bids will be on May 5.
The governments of the Philippines and France in June last year signed the AFDC, which facilitates financial cooperation between the two nations by enabling the former to benefit from a range of commercial support instruments put in place by the French government. It includes financing of projects in strategic development sectors including maritime, transport, agriculture, water sanitation, energy, infrastructure, and mining.
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